Datasheet

Layout

InfoPath provides for several tabular layout options, with four useful commonly used layouts that can

be modified and one for a custom table. When you insert a table layout, InfoPath draws a dotted line

around the table cells.

There are commands or task pane buttons to merge and split cells, add and remove columns and rows,

and so on. Figure 1-5 shows part of the Layout task pane.

Figure 1-5: The Layout task pane

showing table options.

Controls

When you click the Controls button, you can choose from a rich set of form controls (see Figure 1-6).

Any control can be dragged onto a form. If you are using a blank form, InfoPath gives the control a

default name and creates a related form field to which the control is bound. It also creates an element

with that name in the form schema.

You’ll learn more about the available controls and how to use them as you read through the book, espe-

cially in Chapter 8.

Data Source

When you click the Data Source button, InfoPath displays a hierarchical list of the fields to which the

form controls are bound. Fields store the data that you enter into controls. Figure 1-7 shows part of the

list from the Absence Request form.

You can set or view the properties of a data source field by right-clicking the field in the data source list

and choosing

Properties from the context menu. The Properties dialog box is displayed automatically

if you have created a form from a schema, and you drag a new control onto the form.

Chapter 1

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